Gibraltar back on track Rock of Gibraltar atoned for his Royal Ascot defeat when taking the Anheuser Busch Railway Stakes on Budweiser Irish Derby Day at the Curragh today. Aidan O`Brien`s charge had been one of the more fancied of the Ballydoyle runners despatched to the Berkshire course and it was not a secret that connections were disappointed with his Coventry Stakes loss despite taking the race with Landseer. However, jockey Mick Kinane ensured his mount would not meet the same traffic problems encountered at Ascot. He had the colt up with the pace throughout eventually driving the well-backed 1-2 (from 4-6) favourite to a two-length success over another stablemate Hawk Wing. Daneleta was a half-length back in third with the Kieren Fallon-ridden British raider Redback fourth. A trip to Newmarket is on the cards for the winner. 'He`s a very good colt and we might give him a little break before thinking about the Dewhurst,' said the trainer, who jointly bred the son of Danehill with his wife Annmarie and father-in-law Joe Crowley. 'He finished on the bridle in the Coventry and he`d have had a harder time at home on the gallops. Today Michael said he hardly shook the reins at him to win.' Nine of the 16-strong field who contested the Richard H.Faught Memorial Stakes were British trained and the IR£52,000 first prize went across the Irish Sea to owner-trainer Malcolm Saunders following Repertory`s succss in the five-furlong opener. Although the starting price of 14-1 suggests the winner was unfancied in the competitive sprint, Saunders must have been hopeful of success given that his charge was one of only three horses setting off with a previous course and distance victory to their credit. The winner had landed the Rockingham Stakes here three years ago with an all-the-way success and similar tactics were employed today with fourth-choice jockey Fergus Sweeney carrying out instructions to the letter as the pair mastered the Mick Kinane-ridden Ishiguru by a head. The David Nicholls-trained Proud Native was a further length and a half back in third. A delighted Saunders praised Sweeney and explained the jockey`s position in the pecking order for the ride. 'Fergus was fourth choice behind Richard Hughes, Jamie Spencer and Johnny Murtagh but they were all suspended this weekend,' he said. 'But he rode him perfectly, letting him bowl along in front and not asking the question too soon. 'This horse gives 100 per cent every time he runs. There may be a listed race at Sandown for him next week or he may go to France as long as there is cut in the ground for a Group Three at Longchamp. 'He may even go for the Abbaye if the ground comes up heavy.' Memories of Derby Day 1992 came flooding back for trainer Jim Bolger after Avorado (10-1) came out of the clouds to land the John Roarty Memorial Scurry Handicap by two lengths from Eveam with Willyever a further half-length back in third. Bolger trained five winners including the winner of this race together with Derby winner St Jovite on that memorable occasion nine years ago. 'I well remember this day in 1992 when we won almost everything,' said Bolger, who confirmed Avorado`s next appearance will be in the upcoming Newmarket Sales ring.
